Saharan Dust Begins Moving Toward the Caribbean and will Brush Colombia

The traditional atmospheric phenomenon known as Saharan dust, which reaches its main peak during the months of July and August each year, has already begun arriving almost imperceptibly in the Caribbean. In Colombia, according to IDEAM, no significant effects are expected so far, although in recent days minimal amounts have already entered over the Colombian Caribbean coast.

“At this moment, significant increases of Saharan dust are being recorded on the African continent, which so far have not generated major impact or effects on the national territory,” IDEAM reported. “During the last three days, minimal quantities have entered the country, mainly over the Colombian Caribbean coast, and no greater impact is expected during the next three days.”

Impact on the northern Caribbean region

This means that a sandstorm covering everything in its path is not expected, but rather a kind of haze or fine mist in the atmosphere. This can cause the horizon to appear somewhat more opaque or grayish than usual and sunsets to take on different shades due to the interference of these small dust particles with sunlight.

This phenomenon, explained IDEAM Deputy Director of Meteorology Lieutenant Colonel Carolina Rueda, usually begins appearing from the month of April, when it increases more noticeably. After the July and August peak, it begins a progressive decrease toward the month of September.

IDEAM is carrying out technical and scientific monitoring of this phenomenon, in coordination with national and international entities, in order to provide timely information to citizens and support decision-making. The path of these particles indicates very specific entry points. According to IDEAM analyses, the phenomenon will begin to manifest between this Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28.

According to the areas where the impact could occur, IDEAM states that “it could begin to have an effect on the north of the Caribbean region and sectors of the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.” According to the report, the arrival of Saharan dust will not come accompanied by absolutely dry weather.

On the contrary, the country will go through a rainy week. While the dust cloud positions itself in the north, rainfall is expected to increase toward the middle of the week in the Andean and Caribbean regions, including the island area. For Wednesday and Thursday, departments such as Magdalena, Bolivar, Sucre, and Cordoba could experience a particular contrast: the presence of the Saharan cloud together with rainfall that could be accompanied by thunderstorms.

Saharan dust is a dry air mass loaded with mineral particles (mainly very fine sand rich in silicates and other compounds) that originates in the Sahara Desert in Africa and is transported by the trade winds across the Atlantic Ocean.

Effects that Saharan dust can cause

This phenomenon is part of the so-called Saharan Air Layer (SAL), a warm and dry atmospheric current with a high concentration of dust that can travel thousands of kilometers and reach the Caribbean and the Americas. Every year, millions of tons of dust cross the Atlantic in a natural process that influences climate, ecosystems, and air quality in several regions of the planet.

According to information from NASA, Saharan dust can generate different effects:

• Air quality: it can produce haze or mist, reducing visibility and increasing the concentration of particulate matter.

• Health: fine particles can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, especially in people with lung diseases.

• Climate and rainfall: its dry air can inhibit the formation of clouds and precipitation.

• Ecosystems: it provides nutrients that fertilize soils and oceans, although in excess it can affect coral reefs and generate imbalances.

In addition, these particles can modify the solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface, influencing atmospheric processes.

IDEAM reiterated that this is a natural phenomenon and that, for now, no significant effects are expected in Colombia. The entity invited citizens to remain informed only through official channels and will continue providing timely information based on permanent monitoring and scientific analysis, as part of its commitment to the protection of life, health, and the well-being of communities.